Velour is back. Whatever your opinion of it, there is no denying that we are heading directly into a mid-Noughties renaissance. From Kim Kardashian-West’s new SKIMS velour tracksuits to Dua Lipa’s bold lime green version, expect to see a whole lot more velour on your feed this autumn.
Kim Kardashian West is leading the resurgence, this week teaming up with one of the early 2000s most iconic velour-wearers, Paris Hilton to promote the new velour collection from SKIMS, Kim’s loungewear and shapewear line. The promotional shoot featured enormous sunglasses, metallic oversized Louis Vuitton bags and old-school phones, as the pair recreated some of their most iconic paparazzi moments from the early 2000s.
Kim has described the SKIMS collection as “the perfect blend of 2000s nostalgia and present-day loungewear.” She announced the collection on Instagram, stating “a year in the making, SKIMS Velour is my most anticipated launch yet! A reinvention of the iconic 2000s trend, this luxe collection will carry you through Fall – indoors and outside.”
With a large number of people now working from home, stranded in university halls or facing local lockdowns, comfort is more important than ever. Athleisure has been steadily gaining popularity over the last few years, but the pandemic has provided the ideal environment for its complete takeover. For those feeling apprehensive about the resurgence of Juicy Couture-style pink bedazzled tracksuits, don’t panic! SKIMS has totally updated the iconic 2000s trend, with tonal colours making for some really flattering pieces.
Kim’s SKIMS are not the only indication that velour is back, however. The last few years have seen high-profile velour-wearers including Bella Hadid and Rihanna adopt brightly coloured matching sets into their street-style. Earlier this year Kimora Lee Simmons’ fashion label Baby Phat quickly sold out of their new line of velour tracksuits, proving that the demand is very much there.
Many of the online retail giants have already jumped on the trend producing their own takes on the look, with PLT, boohoo and Shein all offering a range of colours and styles. The main focus so far seems to be on more neutral and pastel colours with minimal embellishments to ease people back into a velour frame of mind. Perhaps by Christmas we’ll all be feeling brave enough to go green!
Are you living for the return of tracksuits? Let us know on Twitter @Fashion_North!